Crusaders hooker Codie Taylor lauds young Crusaders ahead of another potentially feisty derby

Friday, 6 March 2026

Footage of Highlanders flyer Caleb Tangitau clocking 43 kilometres per hour has the Aotearoa Rugby Pod crew asking: who is the fastest in Super Rugby?

It’s impossible to know exactly how Codie Taylor would have reacted had he been in the thick of the action when things got testy in Hamilton last week.

Sidelined with a rib injury, the Crusaders’ rake could only watch the Super Rugby Pacific match on the television as skirmishes broke out between his side and the Chiefs.

He was entertained, particularly on the cusp of halftime when tensions peaked after Chiefs prop Jared Proffit tipped Crusaders skipper David Havili on his back and head off the ball.

But he was also proud of the way his team got in behind Havili, all while ensuring things didn’t blow up.

“I was really proud of Tamaiti [Williams] actually. He’s a big man, and he’s a very strong man,” Taylor said after training on Thursday, nursing a gash to his hand and donning a blood stained jersey.

“But he’s matured into a great leader, and for him, you could see he was calming both [Chiefs] Josh Lord and Proffit.

“It’s a good measure of where he’s at as a player. And it sounds like Will Jordan was awesome, too, with the group to reconnect the boys and stay on task.”

That’s despite the Crusaders being miffed Proffit’s act was only punished with a penalty.

Super Rugby stated Proffit wasn’t cited post match because it was ‘deemed to not meet the red card threshold’, but it’s fair to say the head scratching hasn’t stopped.

Crusaders captain David Havili, right, and Chiefs prop Jared Proffit exchange words in Hamilton last week.

After all, it proves a player can be yellow carded for sticking an arm out and cutting off an attacking opportunity, yet can get off lighter for dumping a player on their head.

Regardless, with a third New Zealand derby in four weeks to start the season, the Crusaders are expecting another physical examination against the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday night.

And while they’re boosted by the return of All Black Taylor, it’s been offset by the loss of Williams, who was suspended for a dangerous cleanout against the Chiefs, form hooker George Bell (foot) and fullback Will Jordan (All Blacks rest week).

Anticipating the Blues to unleash their crash and bash, up the guts approach, and with 11 players unavailable for the fixture, Crusaders coach Rob Penney has gone down a rare path by naming a 6-2 bench split.

“Nah, I can’t actually [recall us doing it]. I rate it. You’ve got Xavier Saifoloi coming in, who has played really well in development stuff,” Taylor said.

Crusaders captain David Havili receives medical attention in Hamilton last week.

“Freakish athlete and his skill set, it’s going to be awesome to see him out there. Up front is where the game is going to be won or lost, we’ve got to really step up as a forward pack.”

The Crusaders have won nine of the last 10 matches between the teams at Eden Park, and have prevailed in 35 of the 49 fixtures between the sides in 30 years of Super Rugby.

Yet, despite the one-sided record, it remains one of the fiercest rivalries in the competition, one which will on Saturday feature added tension given it features two of New Zealand’s teams with a 1-2 record.

The Blues, as Taylor said, fresh from coughing up a handy lead to the Brumbies, will be out to right some wrongs, while the reigning champions are seeking another character and confidence boosting win.

“I’d say, if we were here, 0-3, it would be a pretty tough place to stand and talk where we’re at,” Taylor said.

“Our character was tested last week, and our coaches said it was going to be a character defining game. It was tested straight away in that game last week and then the boys came back and played really well.”